Gardner-Webb University
Eastern Illinois
Runnin' Bulldogs Return Home to Face Eastern Illinois
October 08, 2026 | Football
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. — After spending the last two weeks on the road, the Gardner-Webb football team returns to the friendly confines of Spangler Stadium on Saturday as the Runnin' Bulldogs host Eastern Illinois in their first OVC home game of the season. Gardner-Webb is looking for a second straight win to open conference play after earning a 12-10 victory over Charleston Southern in Saturday's North-South BBQ Bowl.
SERIES HISTORY
Gardner-Webb and Eastern Illinois will meet for the third consecutive season. The Runnin' Bulldogs have won each of the previous two meetings, including a 31-28 victory in Boiling Springs in 2024 and a 21-10 win last season in Charleston, Ill.
PENNINGTON AMONG FCS PASSING LEADERS
Quarterback Cole Pennington continues to rank among the nation's top passers. Through six games, Pennington ranks third in the FCS in total passing yards with 1,680. He has completed 147-of-259 passes for eight touchdowns this season.
YANEZ, WATKINS EARN OVC WEEKLY HONORS
Gardner-Webb linebacker Tre Yanez was named the OVC Defensive Player of the Week and also earned Stats Perform FCS National Defensive Player of the Week honors following his performance against Charleston Southern. Freshman Zalen Watkins was named OVC Rookie of the Week, marking another week in which multiple Runnin' Bulldogs earned weekly conference recognition.
Yanez has been one of the nation's most productive defenders this season, recording double-digit tackles in five of Gardner-Webb's six games. He finished with 13 tackles against Charleston Southern and now has 67 tackles on the season. Yanez also leads the Runnin' Bulldogs in both tackles for loss and sacks.
DEFENSE CONTINUES TO SET THE TONE
Gardner-Webb's defense has now scored in four consecutive games. Tye Holsey's fourth-quarter safety against Charleston Southern followed defensive touchdowns against Liberty, Marshall and North Carolina Central.
The Runnin' Bulldogs recorded fumble returns for touchdowns against Liberty and Marshall before returning an interception for a score against North Carolina Central. The safety was Gardner-Webb's first since Sept. 7, 2019, when the Runnin' Bulldogs recorded one at East Carolina.
SCOUTING EASTERN ILLINOIS
Eastern Illinois enters Saturday's matchup with a 1-4 overall record and is coming off its open date. The Panthers opened the season with a 28-14 victory at Murray State but have dropped four straight games, including losses to FBS Minnesota, Indiana State, Illinois State and newly minted No. 1 South Dakota.
Running back Charles Kellom leads the Panthers with 327 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 57 carries. He is averaging 65.4 rushing yards per game.
GAME INFORMATION
Opponent: Eastern Illinois
Date: Saturday, Oct. 10th
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Location: Spangler Stadium | Boiling Springs, N.C.
Streaming: ESPN+
Live Stats:Â https://shorturl.at/G52bW
